2004 Rip Curl Pro

Bells Turns On Epic Conditions; Final To Climax Tomorrow

Wednesday, April 14, 2004 (Bells Beach, VIC, AUS) The Rip Curl Pro enjoyed epic conditions today at Bells Beach, following a major search for waves this morning. Organizers relocated everyone two hours drive west to Johanna, but then conditions changed, creating ideal surf back at the main contest site. Remaining fourth round heats in the Foster's men's ASP World Championship Tournament (WCT) were decided, with the final rounds expected to climax tomorrow.

Perfectly glassy 4-5 ft (1.5m) waves materialized at Bells Beach around midday, creating an anxious atmosphere prior to the start of competition. Contestants were literally ‘frothing' to get amongst the ideal surf and made the most of it once able.

Reigning two-times consecutive Rip Curl Pro and ASP world champion Andy Irons (Kauai, HAW) won the day's opening exchange, in what proved a heavy-weight battle with former world #2 Luke Egan (Gold Coast, AUS). Despite the long drive, both kicked into gear and unleashed some amazing surfing. Egan set the pace with his first 8.5 ride, but the Kauaian answered back with an 8.9 to lead. What followed was a barrage of high scoring maneuvers that kept upping the ante, with a drama filled last minute to leave the judges the toughest job of all.

Irons required a 9.05 as he paddled into the final set, and immediately committed himself to a long floater. Egan took off on the wave behind, and the pair then belted their respective rides to completion, ending on the shoreline near each other, surrounded by admirers. Both posted nine plus scores, but it was the defending event winner's 9.4 which broke their ultimate tie, and he progressed with the best single score of the heat.

AI

"This whole day has been crazy," reasoned Irons afterward. "We drove two hours down to Johanna, got out of the car for 5-minutes and then we had to drive right back up here and paddle straight out. It was a real exhausting heat for me.

"I've surfed with Luke a lot and he knows how to stay calm under pressure, but I was coming from behind, just freaking out the whole time," he added. "Especially when the set came at the end, but it just lined up perfectly for me. The waves are probably the best they've been, so hopefully the swell hangs around for tomorrow.

Irons was actually stopped by police for speeding on his way back to Bells Beach today, but thankfully even law enforcers of the area appear to be surfing fans.

"We were flying cause I got the call they wanted to start at 1pm and we were still a long way away," he explained. "The cop was actually going the other way, but they whipped a big u-turn and pulled us over. I was freaking, but the policeman was actually really cool about it. He knew who I was, so I told him the situation and he totally understood. He just told me to slow down next time (laughs)."

Six-time world champion Kelly Slater (FL, USA) then controlled his match against Australian Nathan Hedge (Narrabeen, NSW). The Floridian earned a great 9.0 near the start, and then sealed a convincing victory with his final 8.83 score. He'll now face Bells' roommate Pat O'Connell (CA, USA) in the quarterfinals.

"It's just perfect Bells and really easy to surf," said Slater. "I think Hedgey was a bit off on his feet today. Definitely feels good being in the quarters. I haven't made it this far at Bells Beach in six years or more. Murphy's law of course means I'll have Pat, as we're staying together here and that's the way it seems to happen."

West Australian Taj Burrow (Yallingup) eliminated Brazil's last representative in the Rip Curl Pro - Paulo Moura - to secure his quarterfinal berth. The world #3 was in devastating form, earning a 9.17 and then another 8.33 with crowd-pleasing maneuvers, and left his opponent a combination of rides behind.

"Yeah, that felt good getting a couple big scores," said Burrow. "After doing the drive this morning and then coming back to these waves, I was so excited. Best waves I've seen out here in the last couple years, so it's great. It's looking pretty tight up there in the quarters, but I'm glad to be amongst them. It'll be exciting for the spectators for sure."

1998 event champion Mark Occhilupo (Gold Coast, AUS) also got the crowd cheering with his win over Californian Taylor Knox in the day's final heat. The 37-year-old will next face Burrow in another highly anticipated quarterfinal clash.

A decision will be made tomorrow morning at 7am (local time), with quarters and then final rounds expected to follow soon after.

The 32nd annual Rip Curl Pro would not be possible without the support of Surfing Victoria, the Surf Coast Shire Council, the Victorian Department of Tourism, Sport & The Commonwealth Games, and the Association of Surfing Professionals, plus the supporting sponsorship of Nintendo, Coca-Cola, Triple M, Tracks, Nokia, Telstra, Falls Creek, Frankston Yamaha, Holden and Beaumont's.

Rip Curl Pro Round Four Heats (1st>Quarterfinals; 2nd=9th, receives US$5,000)

• H4: Andy Irons (AUS) 18.3 def. Luke Egan (AUS) 18.3
• H5: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.83 def. Nathan Hedge (AUS) 13.83
• H6: Pat O'Connell (USA) 14.97 def. Daniel Wills (AUS) 14.3
• H7: Taj Burrow (AUS) 17.5 def. Paulo Moura (BRA) 12.83
• H8: Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 16.17 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 11.83